Benefits cheat stole £80,000 from the public purse

A benefits cheat who fleeced the system of more than £80,000 has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence.

Frank Logan, 50, of Choseley Road in Knowl Hill, admitted three charges of deception by false representation and one of failing to cancel a wrongful credit.

He appeared for sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Friday.

The 50-year-old was also given also given a three-month curfew.

A joint investigation by the Royal Borough and the Department for Work and Pensions found he was in receipt of undeclared income while claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support totalling £81,095.30 between 2002 and 2011.

Speaking after the hearing Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet member for finance, said: "This is a huge amount of money consciously stolen from the public purse. The Royal Borough and its partner organisations work closely together and tirelessly to discover - and will not hesitate to prosecute against - such fraud."

The council’s confidential and free Beat the Cheat line is 0500 353300.